Communications and Intimacy in Family Dynamics - Case Study Example

?FAMILY DYNAMICS Introduction Relations within a family expand through two chief ways- either through birth or through marriage. Through both these institutions, one acquires familial relationship. Other than establishment of relationships, ‘family’ performs other important social functions (Wilson, 2002, p 1-2). This paper reviews the aspects of changing family dynamics in US by highlighting the problems faced by families of US and possible solutions. This case study illustrates the case of Cindy Little, aged 36 whose husband all of a sudden due to stroke. She became a single mother with two infants, Zachary, four and Holly two. Formerly she was a housewife but had to take up a job to support her family. As her children required to be looked after, she sought help from Family Centre. It helped her management of her kids and also provided grief counseling of her two children. The Family Centre is a non- profit non- government agencies which supports family life dynamics, especially of single parent families. Valerie Christie too was helped by Family Centre. However, agencies like these tights on funds and have little money to meet emergency needs. The Winnipeg Foundation made majority of contributions. Chief motif of this foundation is to provide help and assistance to people when they require financial or emotional support. Family dynamics: During the early half of nineteenth century, eminent sociologists like Durkheim and Marx observed changing nature of social fabric. Contemporary political changes in Europe were largely responsible for the change in social structure. The British ‘welfare state’ has been one of the earliest attempts to improve family lives in general (Wilson, 2002, p 1-2). ‘Family’ does not have an explicit definition for the concept includes wider and broader aspects. Thus, an archetypal or normal family refers to a group of individuals who are associated either through blood- ties or by means of law. Generally family members share a common dwelling place, food, shelter and income, responsibilities like raising children and maintaining traditions and ethics are also shared. Though this is an instance of ideal family, numerous types of families exist within a society. However, there exist some exceptions also. The volunteers and caregivers, who help the members of Winnipeg, play the role of extended family. The families differ from each other in terms of habitats, culture, traditions and ethical values. Thus, like the members of a family, Winnipeg and other associations develop psychological dependency among family members and extension of love and protection (Wilson, 2002, p 4-5). Increased numbers of nuclear families of present times are the indirect results of capitalism. Globalization and family necessity has induced both materialism and consumerism within families. Thus, in urban families one could find participation of both male and female members in family finance. However, a large section of sociologists share the view that this has disturbed the age-long equilibrium of reproduction and socialization (Chambers, 2012, p 23- 26). Most of urban families in US are adopting the new concept of family life: single parent families. Poverty, lack of adequate resources and support system from families are chief reasons behind formation of single parent family. Both in case of Cindy and Valerie, absence of their husbands and family support system made them single parents bearing responsibility of kids. In such families, the parental responsibility falls entirely on the single patent. Also impoverishment is another major issue for single parents. However, often single- parent families experience unemployment, poor educational facilities, and racial discriminations and also get less social facilities (Kirst-Ashman and Hull Jr, 2005, p. 311- 312). Demographic aspects include general characteristics about the family members like their age, sex, marital status, etc. These aspects determine social role as well as personality traits of an individual (Fine and Fincham, 2013, p 53). Cindy and Valerie, being women found it more difficult to bring financial affluence in their families, thus hinting towards inequity in gender pay. Family demographics support financial contribution of everybody else in a family except the children and elders. Marital status has lesser influence on professional life of women form developed countries. As it is found in US and Canada, more women are controlling family resources, both in terms of expenses and income. In families where women earn more than man, there exists a personal spending pattern of women. This pattern is rarely found in cases where women earn less than man or survive on monthly allowance. Economic control exerted by women is beneficial for effectively channelizing a family’s disposable income. Government intervention in the form of tax benefits have further encouraged women to opt for jobs and indulge in market activities. In recent times, Social Security benefits based on individual contribution of women have increased multifold (Infanti and Crawford, 2009, p 165). However, in all cases women do not receive similar treatment like their male counterparts. This is observed in cases where women take up part-time jobs or earn less than male members in a family. Often, due to divorce, death and other miscellaneous reasons, women often do not get all benefits of Social Security (Amato, et. al, 2009, p. 2). Social problems: The article highlights the problem caused by reversal of social roles. For ages, men performed a different social role as compared to women. While men worked as bread- earners of the family, womenfolk took care of the house and raised the children. However in recent time, more and more woman is assuming the role of men, with a majority of them becoming the major earner if not the sole earner in a family. This is due to several reasons. Firstly, due to changed mindset of people, more and more women are taking part in all those tasks which were previously referred to as ‘men’s jobs’. Secondly, state policies of US have introduced provisions for higher education of women. Thirdly, as has been found out in recent studies, women are better at management and administrative skills. (The Gradsen Times,) Also, comparatively they have more multitasking capabilities. Due to these reasons, lots of organizations in US and Canada have become interested in exploited the potencies of women. Thus, at present almost a half of US’s workforce is women. Reversal of roles has much deeply affected the family lives in US and Canada. Unlike the time when responsibilities were divided on basis of strength and capability, modern couples share responsibilities basing on their time. As women have assumed equal role as men, therefore, they have to contribute more time to their professional life. Thus, they are left with little time to look after their house, to raise children and to socialize. Often elder members of family are deprived of care and nurturing which are natural to women. The children grow with more emotional security and could easily incorporate to their social roles at the same time, as an individual they develop as confident and adaptive (Millar, 2013). At the same time, they also lack the multidimensional and multi-factorial aspects that they learn from their mothers. Absence of proper attachment with their mothers often makes individuals suffer from inferiority complex and other psychological complexities. Thus, in either case development of ‘higher’ brain functions of the child is hindered. Numerous households of US are going though this problem. Either the mothers are so busy with their professional life or the children are brought by single-handedly by mothers in single family. In both cases, children are deprived of care and affection of both their parents. Organizations like Winnipeg are extending their help to such working women by providing programs for education and maintenance of children. In this way they acknowledge the efforts put up by single parents, especially the single mothers. As women have stepped outside the threshold, they often find themselves in conflict with male family members. Marital conflicts generate numerous negative effects not only on children but on other family members as well. This is because, family conflict and domestic violence lesser their learning ability. In case of single parent families, this issue is somewhat different. Children often remain stressed for they do not develop adequate socializing skills. Circumstances such as death and abandonment or infirmity of male family members leave people emotionally isolated. This hugely affects psychological health of children, and also results in imbalance of family dynamics. Children from such families are often found to suffer from impaired stress response system. At the same time, children also tend to develop lesser adaptive attitude and comparatively lesser skills. Also, accepting traditional and widely accepted social norms often become difficult for them as they are accustomed with ways and family values of their mothers (Nauert, 2013). In case of single mother families as well in families where financially women contribute more, expenditure patterns have changed considerably. This is generated the problem of trade shock. As women have higher bargaining power compared to male family members, thus this change has a greater impact on family resource control and management. This in turn has huge impacts not only on human capital accumulation but also on family development for a longer period of time (Ryscavage, 1999, pp 11- 13). This fact was quite evident from the cases of Cindy and Valarie. Both these women became sole beard winners of their family. With reversal of roles, their pattern of expenditure also changed. Though non- profit organizations like Winnipeg, Family Dynamics and Family Centre are helping out more and more families not only in Canada, but in other parts as well, these organizations are very poorly funded. These organizations are not aided by government. To extend their help to more and more families and single parents in distress, these organizations need to further their infrastructure. As for instance, Winnipeg requires to install new system of phone but it has very little fund to spare. This implies that the States have not been quite successful in raising awareness about fundraising and donations of such organizations. Increasing expenditure has put existence of such organizations in serious dangers (Reynolds, 2013) Solution: Though US families are suffering from serious social problems, it is clear that the structure of family and financial contribution could not be altered. However, this social trend would bring about total change in characteristics and features of a society. Certain things could be tried as remedial measures. Firstly, the concept of nuclear families could be abandoned. Presence of elder family members would lessen the burden of household chores on couples. They would get more time to spend with their children and contribute to its career development. This would also lessen cases of marital dispute and quarrels over sharing of responsibilities. Moreover, in absence of mothers, children would get their grandmothers or other female members as substitutes for female nurturing, care and emotional security. In case of single mothers, it would be beneficial if they stay with their extended families or immediate family members. ‘Family’ is important from other perspectives also. While the mothers would go for work, other members of family would take care of their children. The children too, would get right kind of emotional and financial support. One positive aspect that could be noticed from women participation is lessening of gender pay gap. Also, increase on in women’s purchasing power has meant improved education and health benefits for their children. These aspects are definitely positive signs from social perspective. Governments could provide some aid to this problem by taking more responsibilities of children. This may include introduction of self-dependency programs and personality development programs in educational institutions, like schools and colleges. Moreover, governments could also extend their aids by providing financial aid to non-profit organizations that help single parent families by helping them raise their children. With financial aid they would be able to launch more educational programs, and also programs for extracurricular skill development, nutrition programs, daycare programs for children and financial supporting programs for their single mother who strive hard to make both the ends meet. Conclusion On the whole, it could well be said that, changing family dynamics in Canada and US as well as in other parts of the world have deeper social and economical impacts. It affects both positively and negatively. While it is observed that a large section of people still favor traditional family values and an ideal family, most are helpless and have no other option but to support professional careers of their woman family members. While pay equity and income has changed social roles of women, it has also made women more independent and confident. Single parents are better at management of kids and household. This reflects success of present day women in management of every single aspect of social life. They have equal skills as men within domestic spheres as well as outside it. The fact that nearly a half of working people are women and in numerous families women are sole earners itself prove the fact that women are better at work. Kids being raised by people other than family members could be taken as a positive sign as because it would mean that future generations will be more self dependent and multi tasking. At the same time they could also learn to cooperate, team work and sharing. Leadership qualities are also likely to develop among children who grow up with other children in daycares. References Amato, P.R. et.al. (2009). Alone Together: How Marriage in America Is Changing. US: Harvard University Press,  Chambers, D. (2012). A Sociology of Family Life. UK : Polity Fine, M. A. and Fincham, F.D. (2013), Handbook of Family Theories: A Content-Based Approach. UK: Routledge Infanti, A. C. and Crawford, B. J. (2009), Critical Tax Theory: An Introduction. England: Cambridge University Press Kirst-Ashman, K. K. and Hull, Jr., G. H. (2005). Understanding Generalist Practice. US : Cengage Learning Millar, D. (2006). The impact of a father on a child’s socio- emotional development. Essex University. Retrieved on June 06, 2013 from: http://fathersmatter.wordpress.com/tag/attachment-theory/ Nauert, R. (2013), Parent conflict may hinder cognitive development in children, retrieved on June 06, 2013, from : http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/03/29/parent-conflict-may-hinder-cognitive-development-in-children/53171.htm Our view: Changing family dynamics, (2013), The Gradsen Times, retrieved on June 06, 2013, from: http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20130529/NEWS/130529793?p=2&tc=pg Reynolds, L. (2013), Unsung centre cares for families: Time for Winnipeg to return the favour, Winnipeg Free Press, retrieved on June 06, 2013, from: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/unsung-centre-cares-for-families-204809801.html Ryscavage, P. (1999), Income Inequality in America: An Analysis of Trends. New York: M.E. Sharpe Wilson, A. (2002). Family. UK: Psychology Press Read More